Striking medical interns who were ordered by the Ministry of Health on Friday to evacuate hospital premises, among other things, within one week are considering going to court.
Dr. Herbert Luswata, General Secretary of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), said on Saturday that a meeting with the leadership of the Federation of Uganda Medical Interns will be held to discuss the next steps. He did, however, mention that they had contacted the Center for Health, Human Rights, and Development (CEHURD) for legal advice.
Medical interns who have been on strike for more than a month were advised in a letter signed by Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General of Health Services, that their salary arrears will be paid up to the period of the strike when the Ministry of Finance releases the money.
They are also told that they will not be certified as having finished an internship because the following round of interns is anticipated to report to hospitals in January.
However, Luswata claims that the association is in negotiations with the supervisors of interns in hospitals who have also joined the UMA-led strike.
Lillian Nabwire, President of the Medical Interns, stated that the government is incorrect in resorting to threats rather than resolving long-standing issues.
She stated that they will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss their ultimate decision.
Medical interns, like their seniors, put down their tools for little pay, paying families of physicians who died from COVID-19 in the line of duty, working with inadequate tools like as sundries and personal protective equipment, and dealing with continuous medicine stock-outs in hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Association of Dentists and the Association of Medical Laboratory Professionals have both issued strike notices over identical issues.
Despite several meetings with the President, Ministry of Health officials, and members of parliament, no agreement has been achieved with the administration.
According to Luswata, they will meet with the Prime Minister again next week.